It's unknown if in the more peaceful, "regular", timeline the Enterprise-D had such a combat info center. It's possible this area was related to the regular timeline's battle bridge.

A combat information center is a real concept used by the US Navy. Unlike Starfleet vessels, the modern Navy rarely staffs both the captain and executive officer on the bridge simultaneously, for reasons of safety for the chain of command. One officer usually mans a post at the alternate location of the CIC.